| Chris Bassitt | |
|---|---|
 Bassitt with the Mets in 2022 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1989-02-22)February 22, 1989 (age 36) Toledo, Ohio, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 30, 2014, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 83–65 |
| Earned run average | 3.64 |
| Strikeouts | 1,191 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
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Christopher Michael Bassitt (born February 22, 1989) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theChicago White Sox,Oakland Athletics,New York Mets, andToronto Blue Jays. He made his MLB debut with the White Sox in 2014. Prior to playing professionally, he starred for his basketball and baseball teams atGenoa Area High School and theUniversity of Akron.
Bassitt attendedGenoa Area High School inGenoa, Ohio, where he played for his school's baseball and basketball teams. In his senior year, Bassitt was named to the All-Suburban Lakes League first team in both sports. He had a 1.56earned run average (ERA) with 65strikeouts in 56innings pitched for the baseball team in 2007, his senior year.[1][2]
Bassitt was recruited out of high school to play basketball collegiately.[1] He chose to enroll at theUniversity of Akron, where he playedcollege baseball for theAkron Zips baseball team, competing in theMid-American Conference (MAC).[3] Bassitt took aredshirt in his first year at Akron. In 2009, as a redshirt freshman, Bassitt served as the Zips'closer. He pitched to a 1–2win–loss record, a 3.52 ERA, and sevensaves. In his sophomore year, he pitched in only one game, as he focused on academics.[1] In 2011, his junior year, Bassitt pitched to a 1.42 ERA and limited opposing batters to a .183batting average against. He was named to the All-MAC second team.[4]
TheChicago White Sox selected Bassitt in the 16th round of the2011 Major League Baseball draft, with the 501st overall selection. Bassitt signed with the White Sox, and was assigned to theBristol White Sox of theRookie-levelAppalachian League to begin his professional career.[3][4] In 2013, he began the season with theWinston-Salem Dash of theHigh–ACarolina League, where he was named an all-star.[5] He was promoted to theBirmingham Barons of theDouble–ASouthern League, and recorded twowins in the Southern League playoffs.[6] After working as arelief pitcher for most of his career, the White Sox used Bassitt as astarting pitcher in 2013. He had pitched to an 11–4win–loss record, a 3.08 ERA, and 138strikeouts in 26games started with Birmingham.[7] After the season, the White Sox assigned him to theArizona Fall League (AFL), where he pitched in relief for theGlendale Desert Dogs.[2][6][7] In the AFL, he had a 0.90 ERA in teninnings pitched.[8]
Bassitt broke his right hand prior to the 2014 season. He made three rehabilitative appearances with theArizona White Sox of the Rookie-levelArizona League, before returning to Birmingham on July 29. He had a 3–1 record and a 1.56 ERA with 36 strikeouts in34+2⁄3 innings for Birmingham.[9]
On August 30, 2014, Bassitt made his major league debut in a start against theDetroit Tigers.[10][11] He had a 3.94 ERA in six appearances with the White Sox. After the regular season, the White Sox assigned Bassitt to Glendale of the AFL, where he had a 0.69 ERA in 13 innings, striking out 22 batters whilewalking only three.[12]
After the 2014 season, the White Sox traded Bassitt,Josh Phegley,Marcus Semien, andRangel Ravelo to theOakland Athletics in exchange forJeff Samardzija andMichael Ynoa.[13] Bassitt began the 2015 season with theNashville Sounds of theTriple–APacific Coast League, and was promoted to the major leagues on April 23.[14] In 18 games (13 starts), Bassitt finished 1–8 with a 3.56 ERA.
Bassitt's 2016 season became short-lived after 5 starts with a 0–2 record and a 6.11 ERA. On May 5, 2016, it was announced that Bassitt would undergoTommy John surgery, putting him aside for the rest of 2016. He missed more than half of the 2017 season while recovering from surgery. He was recalled on June 9, 2018, to the A's rotation, his first start in 2 years. He was sent down and back up to the Majors in the following 2 weeks. On March 26, 2019, Bassitt was placed on the injured list with a leg injury.[15] Bassitt finished the season with a record of 10–5 in 28 games (25 starts). He struck out 141 batters in 144 innings.
In thepandemic-shortened2020 season, Bassitt posted a 5–2 record with a 2.29 ERA in 11 starts. He was named the American LeaguePitcher of the Month for September that year, as during that month he went 3–0 in four starts while allowing only one run in26+2⁄3 innings.[16]
On May 27, 2021, Bassitt threw his first careercomplete game against theLos Angeles Angels. He gave up just 2 hits while striking out 9 batters in a 5–0 win.[17] On August 17, 2021, Bassitt was struck in the face by a line drive and exited on a motorized stretcher.[18] He returned to the mound later in the season on September 23, 2021.[19]
On March 12, 2022, the Athletics traded Bassitt to theNew York Mets in exchange forJ. T. Ginn andAdam Oller.[20] Bassitt and the Mets avoided arbitration by agreeing to a contract worth $8.65 million for the 2022 season with a $19 million option or a $150,000 buyout for the 2023 season.[21] On November 8, 2022, Bassitt opted out of his contract and elected free agency, receiving a $150,000 buyout.[22][23]
On December 16, 2022, Bassitt signed a three-year, $63 million contract with theToronto Blue Jays.[24] On May 12, 2023, Bassitt threw a complete-game shutout, his first with the Blue Jays. Bassitt only allowed 2 hits in the contest.[25] Later that year Bassitt was nominated for theAll-MLB Team.[26] Bassitt finished the season with a record of 16–8 in 33 games (33 starts). He struck out 186 in 200 innings. In the 2024 season, Bassit posted a 10–14 record and a 4.16 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 171 innings.
Bassitt throws eight pitches, afour-seam andsinker that range between 92–96 miles per hour (148–154 km/h), acut fastball at 84–91 miles per hour (135–146 km/h), aslider at 85–89 miles per hour (137–143 km/h), achangeup at 82–85 miles per hour (132–137 km/h), asplitter at 81–84 miles per hour (130–135 km/h), asweeper at 72–74 miles per hour (116–119 km/h), and acurveball at 69–75 miles per hour (111–121 km/h). Bassitt throws with great deception, as most of his pitches have either a lot of rise or a lot of break.[27][28]
